Elevating baggage-truck.



No.` 747,133. PATENTBD DEC. 15, 1903. W. H. GADWELL.

ELEVATING BAGGAGE TRUCK.v

APPLIGATION FILED 1112111.18, 1903.

,H0 MODEL.

hmam/ 1 '/I l/f Attorneys.

lUNirnn Frames Patented December 15, 1903.

Farrar rider.

WILLIAM H. CADVVELL, OF VILLIAMSTON, MICHIGAN.

SPEC'LFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 747,133, dated December 15, 1903.

Application filed April 181 1903. Serial No. 153,197. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. CADWELL, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Williamston, in the county of Ingham and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Elevating Baggage-Trucks, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to improvements in elevating-trucks; and its object is to provide a very strong and efficient construction having suitable means for raising the platform and a suitable brake to aid in lowering the same.

It is also an object of the invention to provide means for supporting the platform at certain heights to take the strain olf the operating mechanism while the truck is being loaded or unloaded, and also to provide certain other new and useful features, all as hereinafter more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of a device embodying the invention; Fig. 2, an enlarged longitudinal section of the forward end of the same; Fig. 3, a similar section of the rearend; Fig. 4, a front elevation of the front end with parts broken away to show the construction. Fig. 5 is a detail showing one of the supportinghooks and adjacent parts and the manner of attaching the cable to the platform, and Fig. -is an edge elevation of said hookand adjacent parts.

As shown in the drawings, A is the truckframe, supported upon front and rear axles and provided with vertical posts B, extending upward from the side bars of the frame at a short distance from their ends, and connecting the upper ends of the pair of posts at each end of the frame are the cross-bars B. Corner-plates Bgare secured to the outer side of the posts and bars across the upper angles to strengthen-the same, and diagonal bracerods B3 are secured at one end to the cornerplates and extend diagonally downward to opposite sides of the frame, where they pass through the side bars of the frame to strengthen the end frames formed by said posts and cross-bars against lateral strains,

brace-rods B"l being also secured to the posts near their upperends at one end and to the projecting ends of the side bars at their other end to brace said end frames and hold the saine in their upright position. C is a vertically movable platform guided by said posts, the sills C' of said platform being extended longitudinally between the posts to engage the inner faces of the same and the planking being extended transversely to engage the side faces of the posts. The crossbars B' are cut away at B5 vertically and secured to the top of said bars. Adjacent to these openings are bearings D for pulleys D, which are loosely mounted upon their shafts D2, so that they are free to move longitudinally on said shafts. Cables E are each secured at one end to the projecting ends of the sills C', each being passed through a vertically-extending hole in the sill, thence back and forth through a series of apertures (J3 in a wear-plate C2, which is secured to the under side of the sill and binds the cable firmly between it and the sill. From each corner of the platform C these cables E pass up over the pulleys D, thence downward to the winding-drums F and F', which are grooved to receive the turns of the cablesand are secured one on each end of a winding-shaft G, which is mounted in bearings on the frame A and extends in the longitudinal center of the same beneath the platform C. The pulleys D are allowed to move laterally Within the openings B5, so that as the cables are wound on their drums thepulleys may follow the windings to a certain extent and the cables will not be led at such a great lateral angle that they will be liable to slip from the pulleys.

Secured to the forward ends of the side bars of the frame A is a cross-bar A', to which is secured a bearing for the forward end of the shaft Gr, and on said shaft adjacent to said bearingis secured a sprocket-wheel H for turning the shaft to raise the platform, motion being transmitted to said sprocket by a sprocket-chain H frorna sprocket H2, secured to a stu b-shaft I, supported in suitable bearings on the brackets J and J' at a convenient height between the posts B at the forward end of the truck. To turn the stubshaft I, a crank-handle K, having an en- IOO larged head K', formed with a chamber K2, is provided, and secured to'the end of the shaft Within the chamber of the crank, which is free to turn on the shaft, is a ratchet-wheel K3, which holds the crank on the shaft and is adapted to be engaged by a gravity-pawl K4, located within a side enlargement of the chamber to connect the crank to the shaft and turn the same. When the crank is turned to bring the pawl above the ratchet, said pawl will fall into engagement with the ratchet, and upon further turning of the crank the shaft will be turned thereby, the recess or side enlargement for the pawl being formed with a shoulder K6 to engage the end of-the pawl and form a stop therefor to carry the pawl around and preventits being wedged between the side of the chamber and the ratchet. Any backward movement of the handle disengages the pawl from the ratchetteeth, and if the pawl is at the lower side of the ratchet it will fall out of engagement therewith and free the handle. The pawl is also provided with a lug K5, which extends outward through a slot in the wall of the chamber, so that, if desired, the operator may at any time move the pawl out of or into engagement with the ratchet by means of this lug, which lug also serves as a guide of the pawl. A plate K7 is secured to the head K over the chamber K2 and holds the pawl therein.

Secured to the stub-shaft adjacent to the bracket J is a ratchet-wheel L, and pivotally secured to said bracket to engage said Wheel is a Weighted pawl L', which when thrown in one direction will engage the teeth of the ratchet and upon backward movement of the shaft will engage one of the teeth and prevent further backward movement, thus holding the platform at any point to which it may be elevated.

To support the platform at certain heights while the truck is being loaded or unloaded or is standing with the platform elevated and to take the strain off the cables and operating mechanism at such times, two or more supporting-hooks M are pivotally secured to the side of each post engaged by the projectinor end of the sill C', and o eninvs N are ro' b p D p vided in the wear-plates C2 near the ends of the sills to receive the points of the hooks, which are thrown into alinement therewith by the laterally-projecting spring-arms M on the upper ends of the hooks, said hooks normally hanging downward out of the path of the ends of the sills, with the spring-arms projecting into the path thereof, as shown in Fig. 5. When the platform is raised, the upper angle of the end of each sill will first engage the spring-arm on the hook, and as the hook is somewhat shorter than the thickness of the sill the arm will turn the hook into engagement with the end of the sill, and as the sill is still further raised will yield until the point of the hook passes the lower angle of the sill,when the pointwill be thrown by the action of the spring into alinement with the opening N in the lower side of the sill. If the platform is then lowered slightly, the hook will engage the opening and support the platform, the spring-arm operating to hold the hook in position to engage the opening during the slight downward movement. The end of the sill is notched or cut away to form a recessO from its inner side and end inward a short distance, and the spring-arm is secured to the upper end of the hook out of alinement with the lower end or point of the hook and in'alinement with the recess, so that when the platform is raised from the position in which it is supported by said hook the spring-arm will pass into the recess, and if the platform is then lowered the upper side of the recess will engage the spring-arm and turn the hook on its pivot, thus throwing the point of the hook out of the path of the sill. The hooks are thrown into the path of the sills to engage the same only upon the upward movement of the platform, and therefore they do not interfere with the lowering of the same.

The platform is prevented from dropping when the dog K1 of the handle and the weighted dog L are released and may be gradually lowered by the brake P, which consists in providing the winding-drum F with an enlarged and integral head forming a brakedrum P' and securing tothe frame at one end a suitable brake-band P2, adapted to encircle the drum and to be drawn into engagement :therewith by a bell-crank lever PB, which is pivoted at P4 and to the short arm of which the opposite end of the brake-band is secured, the long arm forming a foot-lever. A notched plate Q is secured to the outer side of one of the posts B and on the long arms of the leverisa plate Q to engage the notches, so that when the arm is depressed to draw the band about the drum said arm may be held in that position by engaging it with one of the notches.

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`Having thus fully described my invention, p

1. In an elevating-truck, the combination with vertical end frames, and a verticallymovable platform, of a winding-shaft journaled in bearings beneath the platform, grooved winding-drums secured on the shaft near each end thereof, cables secured at their respective ends to the platform and windingdrums, pulleys mounted on the end frames over which pulleys the cables pass and which have a free lateral movement in the direction of the length of the winding-drums, whereby a more direct lead is given the cables to insure the winding of the same within the grooves of the drums.

2. In an elevating-truck, the combination with the truck-frame, of vertical posts secables secured at their ends to said platform and Winding-shaft respectively, a cross-bar havingopenings, secured to the upper ends of each pair of posts at each end ofthe frame, bearings secured to said bars adjacent to said openings, shafts in said bearings, and pulleywheels engaged by said cables and mounted on said shafts', free to turn thereon and to move longitudinally thereof within the openings in the cross-bars.

3. In an elevating-truck, the combination, with the truck-frame and vertical end frames, of a vertically-movable platform provided with openings, pulleys mounted in bearings on the end frames, winding-drums beneath the platform, cables secured at one end to the drums and passed through the openings in the platform at their opposite ends, and wear-plates secured to the under side of the platform and having a series of openings through which the ends of the cables are passed and secured therein by the securing of the wear-plates to the platform.

4. In an elevating-truck, the combination, with the truck-frame, Vertical end frames, and a vertically-movable platform, of a winding-shaft mounted in bearings on the truckframe, winding-drums secured on said shaft, pulleys on the end frames, cables secured at theirends to the platform and winding-drums respectively, a stub-shaft mounted in bearings on one of the end frames, means for transmitting motion from said stub-shaft t0 the winding-shaft, a crank-handle on said stub-shaft, a pawl-and-ratchet connection between said crank-handle and stub-shaft, a brake-drum on the winding-shaft, a brakeband to engage the drum and means for forcing the baud into contact with said drum whereby the crank-handle may be disconnected and the lowering of the platform governed by the brake.

5. In an elevating-truck, the combination, with the truck-frame, and a vertically-mov: able platform, of a shaft from which motion is transmitted to raise and lower said platform, a crank-handle loosely mounted on said shaft and havinga cham bered head, a ratchetwheel secured to the shaft within said chatnber, and a gravity-pawl within said chamber to engage the ratchet.

6. In an elevating-truck, the combination, with the truck-frame, and a vertically-movable platform, of a shaft, means for transmitting motion from said shaft to raise the platform, a crank-handle loosely mounted on the end of the'shaft and having a chambered head, a ratchet-wheel secured on the end of the shaft within the chamber and holding the crank-handle on the shaft, a gravity-pawl within the chamber, a lug on the pawl extending outward through a slot in the wall of the chamber, and a plate secured to the head to close the chamber.

7. In an elevating-truck, the combination, with the truck-frame and a vertically-movting motion from said shaft to raise the platform, a crank-handle having an enlarged and chambered head, a ratchet-wheel on 'the end of said shaft within said chamber, and a gravity-pawl within the chamber at the side thereof from which the handle projects, wherebywhen the handle hangsfreely downward the pawl will fall out of contact with the ratchet-wheel and the shaft will be free to turn without actuating the handle..

8. In an elevating-truck, the combination, with the truck-frame and a vertically-movable platform, of a shaft, means for transmitting motion from said shaft to raise the platform, a crank-handle having an enlarged and chambered head into the axis of which chamber the shaft extends through a wall thereof, a ratchet-wheel secured to the shaft within the chamber, a pawl loose wit hin the chamber at the side of the ratchet, a stop on the wall of the chamber' to engage oneI end of the pawl, and a plate secured to the head over the chamber.

9. In an elevating-truck, the combination, with the truck-frame, Vertical end frames, a vertically-movable platform, and means for raising said platform, of hooks operated by the movement of said platform to engage and support the platform and adapted to be released by the movement of said platform to allow the same to be lowered.

10. In an elevating-truck, the combination, with the truckframe,a vertically-movable platform, and means for raising said platform, of hooks for engaging and supporting the platform, and an arm on each hook engaged by the moving platform to throw the hook into and ont of engagement with the platform.

Il. In an elevating-truck, the combination, with a vertically movable platform, and means for raising said platform, of hooks to support the platform lying normally out of the path of said platform and an arm on each hook normally extending into the path of the platform to be engaged thereby to move the hook into the path of said platform when the same is moved in one direction and, when moved in the opposite direction, to turn the hook away from said platform.

l2. In an elevating-truck, the combination, with the truck-frame, vertical end frames, a vertically-movableplatform, and means for raising said platform, of hooks to engage and support the platform, and a yielding .arm on each hook engaged at one side by the platform when moved in one direction to throw the hook into engagement therewith and to yield to allow the platform to pass and engaged by the vplatform when moved in the opposite direction, at its opposite side to turn the hook out of the path of the platform.

13. In an elevating-truck, the cotnbination, with the truck-frame, vertical end frames, a vertically-movable platform, and means for raising said platform, of hooks pivotally seable platform, of ashaft, means for transmiti cured to said end frames out of the path of IOS IIO

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said platform, a spring-arm on each hook projecting into the path of the platform to be engaged thereby when the same is'raised and to throw the hook beneath the platform and yieldingly hold the same in that position until the platform has been raised out of contact with said arm.

14. In an elevating-t-ruck, the combination, with the truck-frame, vertical end frames, va vertically-movable platform, and means for raising and lowering said platform, of hooks pivotally secured to the end frames, sills for said platform having projecting ends of greater vertical thickness than the length of said hooks and having recesses at their ends, a spring-arm on the upper end of each hook projecting into the path of the end of the sill and projecting into the recesses when the platform is raised to release the hook and moved by engagement with the wall of the recess to throw the hook out of the path of the sill when said platform is again lowered.

l5. In an elevating-truck, the combination, with the truck-frame and vertical posts on said frame forming end frames, of a vertically-movable platform, having sills provided with projecting ends formed with recesses eX- tending inward from their inner sides and ends, means for raising said platform, hooks pivotally secured to the inner sides of said posts out of the path of the ends of the sills and out of alinement with the recesses in said ends, and spring-arms on the upper ends of said hooks projecting into the path of the sill ends and in alinement with said recesses.

16. In an elevating-truck, the combination, with the truck-frame, of vertical posts secured to said frame, cross-bars connecting said posts at each end of the frame to form end frames, a vertically-movable platform having sills projecting into engagement with said posts to guide the platform, said sills being provided with recesses at their ends extendingin- Ward from their inner sides and ends, Wearplates secured to the lower side of said sills and having a series of openings and an opening near their ends, cables extending through openings in the sills and the openings in the Wear-plate, pulleys on the end frames engaged by said cables, Windiug-drums to which the opposite ends of said cables are attached, means for turning said drums to raise the platform, hooks to engage the openings in the ends of the wear-plates and pivotally secured to the posts of the end frames out of the path of the ends of the sills and out of alinement with the recesses in said ends, and spring-arms on the upper ends of said'hooks and extending into the path of said sill ends in alinement with the recesses.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

f WILLIAM H. CADWELL. Witnesses:

OTTO F. BARTHEL, LEWIS E. FLANDERS. 

